¹But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine.

This refrain, in so many words, echoes throughout Paul’s letters to both Timothy and Titus. This surely is not the first time the latter had heard this sort of teaching from his mentor. He probably heard it many times in his travels with Paul.  One can even hear it now, “Preach the Word!” (2 Tim. 4:2). The written words cannot adequately communicate the elocutionary force of the spoken word, but repetition conveys the emphasis and the urgency. Of the many good things a Christian can do in shepherding God’s people or serving others, nothing rises higher than the ground on which we stand. That ground is the Word of God, the truth.

The Word is our belt, the first and most crucial piece of the Christian’s armor, on which all the other armor depends (Eph. 6:14). It is the rock on which we build our lives (Matt. 7:24). The Word of truth is the foundation of our salvation:

[F]aith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. (Rom. 10:17)

[Y]ou have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God. (1 Peter 1:23)

The Word is absolutely integral to our sanctification:

[T]he word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Heb. 4:12)

. . . that He might sanctify [the church], having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word . . . (Eph 5:26)

The term “doctrine” renders the Greek word “didaskalia,” which means “teaching.” Here it incorporates all apostolic teaching. In practice, teaching the Word involves explaining, elaborating, and applying the Word. In doing this, one must be careful that everything conveyed is consistent with the true message of God. We must use caution in framing the truth with pithy statements, clever wording, entertaining sound bites, or ideas that “tickle the ears” (2 Tim. 4:3). All must be “fitting for sound doctrine.”

Lord, help me not to over-elaborate Your Word to the point of error.